An ePortfolio is a digital collection of artifacts documenting an individual’s learning and professional growth. More than a simple aggregation of digital artifacts, an ePortfolio communicates to employers in a visually attractive way how individuals connect their academic and non-academic learning experiences.

At the Online Teaching Community of Practice (CoP) session to be held on Friday, October 12, Higgison will present a variety of exemplars demonstrating how ePortfolios are being used at UWindsor.

“There is so much you can do with an ePortfolio,” shed says. “UWindsor has over 3,200 users in our WordPress ePortfolio program right now, from across six faculties, and adding a seventh this semester.

“There are undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and campus groups using ePortfolios for reflective practice, professional development, research websites, teaching dossiers, and even showcasing talent. ePortfolios are a great way for making Google pay attention to your growth and potential.”

The CoP provides instructors with informal, friendly, and supportive gatherings to explore and share ideas with others who are interested in online, open, and technology-enhanced teaching and learning. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch. Some small snacks and beverages will be served.

University of Windsor employees may register up to two Grade 9 students to participate in the Take Our Kids to Work Day program to be held on November 14.

Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual national program of the “Learning Partnership” in which Grade 9 students are hosted by parents, friends or relatives at workplaces across the country. This initiative enhances the student’s understanding of the realities of working life and supports them in exploration and planning of their career paths.

Employees are encouraged to host their son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, or child of a friend or neighbour. The program will offer participants a variety of group activities co-ordinated by faculties and departments, and the opportunity to job-shadow their parent or host for a portion of the day. The detailed agenda can be found on the program website.

A three-day workshop this weekend will seek to lay the groundwork for Canada’s future in neutron scattering.

The workshop is being hosted by Drew Marquardt, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, on behalf of the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering.

“It is a big event,” says Marquardt. “We will have academic experts discussing alongside key national and international organizations about the future of maintaining Canada’s neutron scattering needs and expanding the scientific resources Canadian researches and industry need for materials research using neutron beams.”

Dean of Science Chris Houser notes the workshop is a bit of a coup: “We are proud to have Dr. Marquardt represent our Faculty as well as the University at this important event, and for hosting such important discussions about our future research partnerships.”

These discussions have been anticipated since Canada’s National Research Universal (NRU) reactor shut down in April.

Marquardt says that since the shutdown of the NRU, Canada is alone among developed nations without either a neutron beam laboratory or a formal arrangement providing access to one.

“A main goal we have is to explore short term options,” he says. “This includes discussions about getting as many universities in Canada onboard for a big neutron initiative and exploring the notion of buying into agreements with foreign sources, most likely the United States.”

Nine post-secondary institutions across Canada will be in attendance, as well as national labs and organizations such as the Canadian Light Source, the Canadian Nuclear Society, the Canadian Neutron Initiative, and Canadian Nuclear Labs. Neutron facilities in the US will also be represented.

Industry members will also be in attendance, with Proto Manufacturing, the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Nemak, and Mirexus Biotechnologies sending representatives.

“We are trying to get industry involved,” says Marquardt. “And they all have an interest at stake. Even insurance companies rely on neutron scattering. For example, if there’s a rail accident, the train tracks would be analyzed for micro stresses in the metal using neutrons.”

Canadian scientists, both in academia and in the industry, continually use neutron beams for a wide range of applications, from understanding quantum materials to determining reliability of car engine parts.

The workshop will begin in Windsor Hall on Friday, October 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., continue Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and conclude on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

—Darko Milenkovic

BookFest Windsor will explore “The Power of Stories” in a series of events through downtown Windsor, October 17 to 21.

UWindsor resident writing professional Marty Gervais will moderate a “Books and Brunch” panel discussion as part of a literary festival which will draw writers and their readers, October 17 to 21.

The theme of BookFest Windsor 2018 is “The Power of Story,” and a series of events exploring the subject is set for venues through downtown Windsor.

Admission to the brunch on Sunday, October 21, at the City Grill Event Centre, will cost $35.

Gervais will play host to Sharon Butala, a best-selling author of 19 books of fiction and nonfiction, including her 1994 memoir, The Perfection of the Morning; and Casey Plett, who received the 2015 Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Fiction for her debut short story collection A Safe Girl to Love.

Windsor Hall is the setting of a networking event hosted by the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, October 25.

The chamber is promoting the “After Business” reception as an opportunity to see the building — touted as a historic location in the former home of the Windsor Star newspaper offices — while building relationships with Essex County business professionals and entrepreneurs in a social setting.

The event will run 5 to 7 p.m. and promises appetizers, live entertainment, cash bar, door prizes, and a mini-tradeshow exhibition. Register online by visiting www.windsoressexchamber.org.

In preparation for the launch of UWinsite Student, the following office closures will be in effect:

Cashiers Office closed:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., October 1 to 17

Monday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, October 23, all day

Wednesday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, October 25, all day

Friday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., October 30 to November 23

Student Awards and Financial Aid Office closed:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., October 1 to 17

Monday, October 22, from 11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 23, all day

Wednesday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, October 25, all day

Friday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., October 30 to November 23

Office of the Registrar closed:

Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., October 22 to November 23

UWinsite Student will replace the University’s Frank L. Smith Student Information System, commonly known on campus as SIS or myUWindsor, on November 26. This new platform will be used by students as well as faculty and many staff.